Frontline Season 42 Episode 9 Once Upon a Time in Iraq: Fallujah

Once Upon a Time in Iraq: Fallujah is an episode of the long-running PBS news series Frontline. In season 42 episode 9, the program takes a deep dive into the Battle of Fallujah, one of the most intense and destructive battles of the Iraq War. The episode features interviews with American soldiers who fought in the battle, as well as Iraqi civilians who survived it.

The Battle of Fallujah began in November 2004 and lasted for several weeks. It was one of the defining moments of the Iraq War, as American forces attempted to root out a strong insurgency in the city. The episode explores both the military strategy behind the battle and its impact on the soldiers who fought in it.

One of the key themes of the episode is the tension between American soldiers and Iraqi civilians. The program examines the ways in which American troops attempted to distinguish between civilians and insurgents, in a complex urban environment where both were often indistinguishable. It also looks at the toll that the battle took on the civilians who were caught in the crossfire, including the displacement of tens of thousands of people from their homes.

The episode features a mix of historical footage and contemporary interviews with soldiers and civilians. It also includes exclusive footage shot by American soldiers during the battle itself, providing a unique perspective on the conflict.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a sense of the chaos and confusion that characterized the Battle of Fallujah. They see how soldiers coped with the stress and danger of fighting in an unfamiliar and hostile environment, and they hear from civilians who experienced the battle from a very different perspective.

Once Upon a Time in Iraq: Fallujah is a powerful and thought-provoking episode of Frontline. It sheds light on a little-understood chapter of the Iraq War, and provides a humanizing glimpse into the experiences of soldiers and civilians alike. For anyone interested in learning more about the ongoing impact of the Iraq War, this episode is a must-watch.